Wind resistant awning

ABSTRACT

A wind-resistant awning is disclosed. The awning includes a backing which allows wind to flow through it, such as a mesh netting or screen backing. A plurality of flaps are attached at one edge only to the backing. The flaps are preferably horizontally aligned in parallel and overlap one another. The flaps are closed when the wind level is low. In the event a potentially harmful gust of wind presents itself, a free end of the flaps opens such that the force of the wind goes through the backing and does not damage the awning. The flaps are preferably weather resistant. Optionally, the flaps may have weak attachment means such as hook and loop fasteners to keep the flaps attached to the backing under normal conditions. The awning can be used in multiple settings and may be retractable. In various embodiments, the awning includes windows of mesh material having window flaps which lift away from the windows to allow wind flow therethrough.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 11/849,040, filedAug. 31, 2007, which is hereby incorporated by reference in itsentirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to awnings, and more specifically to anawning which is wind resistant.

2. Description of the Related Art

Awnings have been in use for many years. They have been usedparticularly on the sides of campers, tents, houses, mobile homes, storefronts, and other places. They are used for shade and shelter againstthe elements. Conventional awnings are generally made of a single layerof material and single piece of material.

Unfortunately, there are problems with awnings when the wind level risesbeyond a safe point. These solid awnings, after reaching the limits oftheir ability to withstand wind, can rip or be blown off of theirsupports. Repairing such awnings can be difficult or aestheticallyunpleasing. Replacing awnings, particularly large ones, can be ratherexpensive.

Awnings for various purposes have been disclosed, for example, in U.S.Pat. Nos. 3,847,171, 3,779,302, 3,720,438, 6,123,136, 5,806,906, and4,754,774. However, none of these references address wind resistance ina suitable manner. The problem of wind gusts damaging awnings heretoforehas persisted without any suitable solution.

SUMMARY

In view of the deficiencies described above, it is an object of thepresent invention to provide an awning which is resistant to damage fromwind.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an awningwhich functions to protect against the elements under normal conditions,yet is operable to allow wind penetrations once wind levels exceed acertain degree.

In view of these objects and others, the present invention is awind-resistant awning. The awning is resistant against damage from highwinds. The awning is formed of two layers. The underlying layer is abacking which is permeable to wind. Such a backing may be composed of amesh, netting, or screen, or other suitable material.

A second layer is composed of multiple flaps. The flaps are attached atone edge and free at the other. Preferably, they are alignedhorizontally and may overlap one another. In this arrangement, undernormal conditions the flaps remain in a relaxed position flush againstthe backing. Under a high wind condition, the flaps are free to exposethe backing by lifting up at their free edges. This enables the wind topass through the backing and thus leaves the awning undamaged. In analternate embodiment, the awning may comprise only the multiple flapswithout the mesh layer, in which case the flaps are attached at theirtop edge to the side supports of the apparatus.

The flaps optionally have attachment means to weakly keep the free endsof the flaps in contact with the backing under normal conditions. Thisalso helps keep the flaps neatly in place in the event the awning isrolled up or retracted. Various support means can be employed in thepresent invention. For example, support arms can extend on either sideof the awning. A support rod may support the backing in a central areafor additional support.

The awning can be employed in various applications. Usage for such anawning is suitable in situations such as campers, tents, store fronts,houses, mobile homes, etc. Furthermore the materials employed areideally weather resistant.

In other embodiments, the awning includes a main layer which issubstantially non-permeable to wind flow, and one or more windows. Thewindows include a backing layer which is permeable, such as mesh,netting, screening, or other suitable material. Overlying the backing isa window flap, ideally attached at the rear edge of the window. Thus,the flap can be displaced from the backing when a certain threshold ofwind flow is reached.

In such embodiments, the flaps can be attached via guide straps at theopen corners to limit the amount of displacement, and to aid in guidingthe flap into place when closing. At the same corners, the window flapsmay be held in place via hook and loop fasteners. Such windows can bearranged in various configurations. It may be most ideal to provide thegreatest window space toward the rear of the awning. In someembodiments, two windows may be disposed near the rear, and a singlewindow near the front positioned between the two windows vertically.

Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from thefollowing detailed description taken in conjunction with the followingfigures, wherein like reference numerals represent like features.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of one embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of another embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of another embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of another embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of another embodiment of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

While this invention is susceptible of embodiments in many differentforms, there are shown in the drawings and will herein be described indetail, preferred embodiments of the invention with the understandingthat the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification ofthe principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the broadaspect of the invention to the embodiments illustrated.

The present invention is an awning 10 which is wind-resistant, meaningit is equipped to handle gusts of wind while being resistant to damage.The awning 10 includes a first underlying layer 20 which is a backing.The backing is formed such that a significant amount of air can passfreely through it.

In various preferred embodiments, the backing is composed of a netting,mesh, or screen, or any material having passageways for air therein.Disposed upon the backing are a plurality of flaps 30. The flaps 30 arecomposed of a substantially continuous material.

Ideally, the flaps 30 are composed of a material which is resistant tothe elements, such as water, wind, and sun. They may be composed ofcanvas, nylon, or other suitable material. In various alternateembodiments, the mesh layer 20 is eliminated, in which case the flaps 30are attached only to side supports 40 at their top edges.

The flaps 30 are attached at one edge to the awning 10, and are free ofthe backing at an opposite edge. Thus, the flaps 30 are free to riseaway from the backing 20 at their free edge under the condition of ahigh wind, thus allowing air to flow through the backing 20 andpreventing damage to the awning 10.

In various preferred embodiments, the flaps 30 are arranged in parallelto one another. Ideally, they form a continuous wind shield when in therelaxed position. For example, the free ends of each flap 30 mayslightly overlap the adjacent flaps 30.

Additionally, in various embodiments, the free ends of the flaps 30 maybe weakly attached to the backing 20. Various forms of attachment arecontemplated within the scope of the invention. Such means may include,but are not limited to, hook and loop type fasteners 50. Thus, the freeend of the flaps 30 may be weakly held to the backing 20 such thatgentle breezes do not lift the flaps 30, but greater degrees of windwill cause the free end of the flap 30 to lift. In this fashion, theflaps 30 may be held in place if the awning 10 is to be rolled up orretracted.

Furthermore, the awning 10 may optionally include support arms 40 whichare disposed along the sides of the awning 10. In various embodiments, acentral support rod may support the awning 10 in a central area.

The awning 10 of the present invention can be utilized in variousdifferent applications. For example, it would be suitable for use at theside of a camper, house, store front, motor home, tent, umbrella, or anyother situation requiring an awning 10.

In various other embodiments, the awning 10 of the present inventionincludes a substantially continuous awning layer 100 adapted to extendfrom a rear end of the awning 10 to a front end of the awning 10 betweenright and left sides of the awning 10. At least one awning window 110 isdisposed within the awning layer 100. The window 110 includes anair-permeable backing layer 120, such as a mesh, netting, screen, orother suitable material, extending substantially throughout the window110. A window flap 130 is positioned above the backing layer 120 andadapted to lift away from the backing layer 120 to allow air flowthrough the window 110.

The window flaps 130 are ideally, though not necessarily, attached atthe rear edge of the window 110. Guide straps 140 are optionallyattached to the open corners of the window flap 130 and to thecorresponding corners of the window 110, thus limiting the displacementof the window flap 130 during wind flow, as well as achieving betterline-up when the flap 130 closes. Optionally, hook and loop fasteners,or other suitable fasteners, are included at the open corners to keepthe flap 130 from opening before a certain threshold of wind flow ispresent.

A plurality of such windows 110 are optionally used. In certainembodiments, the window space may be concentrated toward the rear of theawning 10 to achieve best results in handling wind flow. In certainembodiments, three such windows 110 may be positioned within the awning10. Two of the windows 110 may be positioned in a rear area, separatedhorizontally. The third window 110 is ideally positioned in the frontregion of the awning, yet in between the first two windows 110 in itsvertical alignment such that the windows are separated in the event theawning 10 is rolled up.

While specific embodiments have been illustrated and described, numerousmodifications come to mind without significantly departing from thespirit of the invention and the scope of protection is limited by thescope of the accompanying claims.

1. A wind-resistant awning comprising: a backing through which asignificant amount of air can pass freely, a plurality of wind resistantflaps disposed upon said backing wherein said flaps are attached to saidbacking at a first edge and free of said backing at a second edge. 2.The wind-resistant awning according to claim 1, wherein said backingcomprises a mesh material.
 3. The wind-resistant awning according toclaim 1, wherein said plurality of wind-resistant flaps are arranged onsaid backing in parallel to one another.
 4. The wind-resistant awningaccording to claim 3, wherein said plurality of flaps lay substantiallyflat against said backing in a first relaxed position, and wherein saidplurality of flaps become raised away from said backing at said freeedge exposing said backing in a second position during exposure to wind.5. The wind-resistant awning according to claim 4, wherein, in saidfirst relaxed position, said plurality of flaps substantially cover saidbacking.
 6. The wind-resistant awning according to claim 5, wherein thefree edge of each of said plurality of flaps overlaps the first edge ofan adjacent one of said plurality of flaps.
 7. The wind-resistant awningaccording to claim 6, wherein said free end of said plurality of flapsis weakly attachable to an adjacent one of said plurality of flaps viaattachment means wherein said attachment means fails under the conditionthat a potentially harmful wind is present and allows said free end ofsaid plurality of flaps to open into said second position, and whereinsaid attachment means enables said flaps to remain in said relaxedposition for said awning to be retracted.
 8. The wind-resistant awningaccording to claim 7, wherein said attachment means comprises hook andloop fasteners.
 9. The wind-resistant awning according to claim 1,wherein said backing comprises a screen.
 10. The wind-resistant awningaccording to claim 1, wherein said plurality of flaps are comprised ofwater-resistant material.
 11. The wind-resistant awning according toclaim 10, wherein said water-resistant material is nylon.
 12. Thewind-resistant awning according to claim 10, wherein saidwater-resistant material is canvas.
 13. The wind-resistant awningaccording to claim 1, wherein said awning further comprises support armsalong sides of said awning.
 14. The wind-resistant awning according toclaim 13, wherein said awning further comprises a support bar at acentral portion of said backing.
 15. The wind-resistant awning accordingto claim 1, wherein said awning is attached to a camper or recreationvehicle.
 16. The wind-resistant awning according to claim 1, whereinsaid awning is attached to a house or motor home.
 17. The wind-resistantawning according to claim 1, wherein said awning is attached to a tent.18. The wind-resistant awning according to claim 1, wherein said awningforms at least a portion of an umbrella.
 19. The wind-resistant awningaccording to claim 1, wherein said awning is retractable.
 20. Awind-resistant awning comprising: at least two supports disposed inspaced relation, a plurality of wind resistant flaps disposed about saidsupports wherein said flaps are attached to said supports at a firstedge and free of said supports at a second edge.
 21. A wind-resistantawning comprising: a substantially continuous awning layer adapted toextend from a rear end of said awning to a front end of said awningbetween right and left sides of said awning, at least one awning windowwithin said awning layer, said window comprising an air-permeablebacking layer extending substantially throughout the window, and awindow flap positioned above said backing layer adapted to lift awayfrom said backing layer to allow air flow through said window.
 22. Thewind-resistant awning according to claim 21, wherein said window flap isattached at a rear end of said window, and wherein said flap comprisesguide straps attached at open ends wherein said straps limit thedisplacement of said window.
 23. The wind-resistant awning according toclaim 22, wherein said flaps are removably attachable to edges of saidwindow via hook and loop fasteners.
 24. The wind-resistant awningaccording to claim 21, wherein said awning further comprises at leastone additional awning window within said awning layer, said additionalwindow comprising an air-permeable backing layer extending substantiallythroughout the window, and a window flap positioned above said backinglayer adapted to lift away from said backing layer to allow air flowthrough said window.
 25. The wind-resistant awning according to claim21, said awning window being a first awning window, said awning furthercomprising a second window within said awning layer, said second windowcomprising an air-permeable backing layer extending substantiallythroughout the window, and a window flap positioned above said backinglayer adapted to lift away from said backing layer to allow air flowthrough said window, and wherein said awning further comprises a thirdwindow within said awning layer, said third window comprising anair-permeable backing layer extending substantially throughout thewindow, and a window flap positioned above said backing layer adapted tolift away from said backing layer to allow air flow through said window,and wherein said first and second windows are disposed in a rear regionof said awning in spaced horizontal relation, and wherein said thirdwindow is positioned in a front region of said awning within avertically oriented column position which extends between said first andsecond windows.